Shoe lasting apparatus



March 16, 1943. l J, s. KAMEsoRfIAN- 2,314504'7 SHOE `LASTING APPARATUS Filed Aug. 4, 1941 @00,5 Imaam Patented Mar. 16, 1943 UNHTED STTESPATENT QFEICE SHOE. LAS'IING APPARATUS Jacob S. Kamborian, WestNewton, Mass.

. Application August 4, 1941, Serial No. 405,285

` of the marginal material to feed into the bite of 8 Claims.

This invention pertains to the manufacture of footwear, relating more especially to novel and improved shoe lasting apparatus, the present application being a continuation-impart of the copending application for Letters Patent, Serial No. 352,479, led on August 14, 1940, by Jacob S. Kamborian, upon which Patent No. 2,251,285 was granted on August 5, 1941.

In the patent just referred to, there is disclosed and claimed a shoe lasting machine having a pair of constantly rotating rolls constituting gripping means for updrawing the-material of the shoe upper, said rollsv acting in cooperation with wiping means to stretch the margin of the upper and lay it down .in lasted position upon the insole. These updrawing rolls, as described in said application, are designed not only to stretch the shoe upper material in an upward direction, but also to exert a feeding action for progressing the work during the continuance of the operation, and in order to'obtain the positive updravving pull upon the upper material, these rolls, as claimed in said copending application, are provided with oppositely pitched helical ribs, the ribs extending substantially from end Ito end of each roll. However, it Was suggested in said copending application that cylindrical rolls externally knurled if desired, but unprovided With helical ribs, might acceptably perform the desired function upon certain classes of work. The present invention pertains to improvements in upper gripping and feeding rolls of the general type disclosed in said application, and designed for use in cooperation with a rapidly vibrating wiper which contacts the upper material at a point which is intermediate the sho-e bottom and the place at which the marginal material is gripped by the rolls.

Experiment has shown that for certain classes of work, in particular when the upper material is very light and thin, or when perfection in lasting is not essential, the desired results'may be obtained if the rolls merely grip and hold the margin of the upper while feeding it along, instead of actuallyY updrawing it. By merely holding it tight while the vibrating wiper engages the upper between the plane of the shoe bottom and the nip of the rolls, the wiper, by its rapidly repeated impacts, stretches the upper material and then lays it over vthe shoe bottom as the material is released by the rolls. Uninterrupted progress of the operation along the length of the shoe and without at any time releasing the marginal material from between the rolls is made possible by tipping the shoe at such an angle as to cause fresh portions the rolls as fast as the material is released by the rolls after it has been stretched by the wiper.

While smooth cylindri-cal rolls may be employed or cylindrical rolls which merely have a knurled or otherwise roughened surface, it has been found preferable to provide the rolls with elements, for instance complemental ribs and grooves whereby the rolls may obtain a positive grip upon the upper material, although they do not exert any updrawing action.

f In the accompanying drawing wherein certain desirable embodiments of the invention have been illustrated by Way of example,

Fig. 1 is a diagrammatic side elevation of a shoe upper and insole mounted upon a last, with certain parts in vertical section, showing the shoe in the position of lasting by the employment of a pair of cylindrical rolls and a wiper in accordance with the present invention;

Fig. 2 is a transverse section through the forepart of a last having a shoe upper and insole mounted thereon, and showing diagrammatically and fragmentally portions of a lasting machine embodying a pair of cylindrical work gripping rolls and an upper stretching wiper;

Fig. 3 is an elevation to somewhat larger scale, illustrating a pair of rolls such as shown in Figs. 1 and 2, but Without showing other parts of the mechanism;

Fig. 4 is a View similar to Fig. 3, but showing rolls of modiiied construction Fig. 5 is another view similar to Fig. 3, showing a further modification;

Figs. 6 and 7 are views similar to Fig. 3 but showing other modications; and

Fig. 8 is a View generally similar to Fig. 5, but showing trimming means associated with the rolls.

Referring to the drawing, the numbers l I2 and H5 designate a' pair of parallel shafts corresponding to the similarly numbered parts shown and described in the aforesaid patent, these shafts being constantly rotated in opposite directions by suitable mechanism, for example such as that shown in said patent. The shaft H2 is mounted in normally ixed bearings while the shaft l i 5 turns in bearings carried by a horizontally sliding part l Ila which is urged to the left, as viewed in Fig. 2, by springs H8a thus tending to move the shaft H5 bodily toward the shaft I l2. On the lower end of the shaft H2 is mounted a cylindrical roll I I3X and on the lower end of the shaft H5 isrnounted` the cylindrical roll IMY, these rolls being shown in Figs. l, 2 and 3 as having knurled peripheral surfaces. The for- H9 which, as suggested in the aforementioned ward roll Hlly is preferably furnished with a downwardly directed, substantially hemispherical axial boss B for contact with the surface of the insole S of the shoe.

The machine also comprises a driven shaft 9 provided with a crank or eccentric 32 to which is connected one end of the connecting rod 33, the opposite end of which is pivotally secured at 34 to one end of a horizontally sliding part 35 suitably guided to move in a horizontal lpath and provided at its forward end with the inwiping wiper 36. The same slide 35 may lalso,if desired, carry the pressing wiper H9 (Fig. 1). The above parts are all similar to correspondingly numbered parts disclosed in the aforesaid patent to which reference may be had for a further description, the only substantial difference being that in the aforesaid patent the rolls carried by the shafts H2 and H5 are provided with oppositely pitched helical ribs whereas in accordance with the arrangement specically shown in Figs. l, 2 and 3 the cylindrical rolls are unprovided with ribs, but have roughened or knurled surfaces.

In the operation of this device, the shoe is held in an inclined position as indicated in Fig. l, the longitudinal axis of the shoe extending more or less in the direction of the line X-Y. As illustrated, the last L has mounted thereon the upper U and insole S, the margin M of the upper extending upwardly from the surface of the insole as seen in Fig. 1. In beginning the lasting operation the operator preferably rst moves the roll l ity away from the roll H3X and by proper manipulation of the shoe catches a portion of the margin M between the rolls thereupon permitting the rolls to approach and grip the upper material between them. By holding the shoe in inclined position of Fig. 1 the marginal material will feed between the rolls while the rolls progress the shoe longitudinally, the marginal material escaping from the left side of the rolls as viewed in Fig. 1 as the operation progresses. The inwiping wiper 3S is disposed just below the plane of the lower ends of the rolls and just to the left of the plane of the axes of rolls as viewed in Fig. 1. This wiper is vibrated very rapidly, for instance 500 or more vibrations per minute, and its end engages that portion of the margin which lies between the plane of the bottom of the insole and the point at which the upper is gripped between the rolls. After rst engaging the marginal material between the rolls, the operator preferably pushes the shoe rearwardly toward the free end of the wiper so that the marginal material isv partially bent over the edge of the insole as shown in Fig. 2. As the wiper engages the upper material, its rapidly repeated impacts stretch the upper material, the insole being held from rising by contact with the boss B and the edge portion of the marginal material being rmly gripped between the rolls. rihe consequence of this action is to stretch the upper material snugly about the last and to push it inwardly over the last bottom and to lay it down against the insole as fast as the upper material escapes from between the nip of the rolls. It will be understood that suitable adhesive may have previously been applied to the inner surface of the margin and/or to the insole or that it may be applied substantially simultaneously with the inwiping action, as may be preferred. The result of the operation is to stretch the margin and cause it to adhere to the insole, such adhesion being further insured, if desired, by the action of a pressing wiper patent, may be heated and may be caused to bear with ironing pressure upon the wiped-in marginal material.

While rolls such as shown in Fig. 3 are useful, it may be desirable, in dealing with certain types of upper material, to provide an even more positive grip. Thus as shown in Fig. 4, the cylindrical rolls 2 l2 and 214 are provided with peripheral ribs R disposed in planes perpendicular to the axes of the rolls. These ribs are so arranged that the space between adjacent ribs of one roll provides a channel C complemental to a rib on the opposite roll. These ribs and channels receive the upper material between them and provide a positive grip which enables the wiper to stretch the upper material to the maximum possible extent without danger that it will be pulled out from between the rolls.

In Fig. 5 a further modification is illustrated wherein the cylindrical rolls 213a and 2Illa are provided at their upper portions with ribs R and channels C such as those shown in Fig. 4 but wherein the lower portions of the rolls are provided with helical ribs R2 and R1, respectively of opposite pitch designed to provide a slight amount of positive updraw whereby the marginal material is positively fed into the grip of the ribs R and channels C.

In Fig. 6 the cylindrical rolls 2|3b and 2Mb are shown as having smooth upper portions, the roll 2 i3b being provided with a peripheral rib R like those shown in Fig. 4, while the roll 2 it is furnished with a complemental channel C consisting of a groove in the periphery of the roll.

In Fig. 7 the cylindrical rolls 2 I3c and 2 lic are furnished at their lower parts with a rib R and channel C respectively like those shown in Fig. G, while the upper portions of these rolls are furnished respectively with preferably spaced, longitudinally extending ribs R3 and complemental longitudinally extending channels or indentations C2.

In Fig. 8 the cylindrical rolls EISd and 2W* are furnished at their lower end portions with helical ribs R2 and R1, respectively like those illustrated in Fig. 5, such ribs being cf opposite pitch and designed to provide a positive updraw. The rolls 21301 and 2|4d, respectively, are also provided with a peripheral rib K (of wedge or V shape in transverse section, constituting a disk cutter whose edge is in a plane perpendicular to the axis of the roll) and with a peripheral groove V complemental to the cutter K and designed to receive the edge of the latter. The cutting rib K in cooperation with the groove V, acts to trim away surplus upper material which is drawn upwardly between the rolls by the action of the ribs R1 and R2. Preferably the cutter rib K is removable, being a separate part made, for example, frem tool steel, and the lower part cf the roll 2131 is independent of the upper part and removable to permit the cutter disk or rib K to be asselnbled between such lower part and the upper part of the roll. The cutter rib or disk may thus be removed for sharpening or for replacement.

Above the disk K and groove V the rolls 2l3i and 2Md are preferably provided with oppositely pitched helical ribs Rx and RY, respectively, which serve to steady the rolls and to maintain them in proper parallel relation, as well as to draw the severed material upwardly away from the cutting edge. Preferably the roll 2l3d is of somewhat larger diameter than the roll 2li!d in order to facilitate the lasting of the toe portion of the upper. It is to be understood that the corresponding rear roll of the other pairs of rolls shown in the other figures of the drawing may likewise be of larger diameter than the complemental front roll, if desired. When the roll 2I3d is of larger diameter than the roll 2 ld, the peripheral speed of the knife-rib K is greater than that of the surfaces forming the walls of the groove V. This facilitates the trimming operation. While certain desirable embodiments of the invention have herein been illustrated by way of example, it is to be .understood that the invention is not necessarily limited to these precise embodiments but is to be regarded as broadly inclusive of any and all equivalent constructions which fall within the terms of the appended claims.

I claim:

l. In a lasting machine, in combination, a rapidly vibrating wiper element and a pair of oppositely rotating upper-gripping rolls, said rolls turning about parallel axes and having substantially cylindrical work-engaging surfaces between which the marginal portion of the shoe upper is gripped, one roll having a peripheral channel and the peripheral surface of the other roll having a projecting rib complemental to said channel, the rib and channel lying in planes which are perpendicular to the axis of the respective rolls.

2. In a lasting machine, in combination, a pair of oppositely rotating upper-gripping rolls, said rolls turning about parallel axes and having substantially cylindrical work-engaging surfaces between which the marginal portion of the shoe upper is gripped, the peripheral surface of one roll having channels therein and the peripheral surface of the other roll having ribs complemental to the channels thereby to provide positive gripping means for engagement with the marginal material of the upper, said ribs and channels extending parallel to the axes of the respective rolls.

3. In a lasting machine, in combination, apair of oppositely rotating upper-gripping rolls, said rolls turning about parallel axes and having substantially cylindrical work-engaging surfaces between which the marginal portion of the shoe upper is gripped, the peripheral surfaces of the rolls having complemental ribs and channels operative to provide a positive grip upon the marginal material of the upper when inserted between the rolls, certain of said ribs and channels being in planes perpendicular to the axes of the rolls and other of said ribs and channels being parallel to the axes of the rolls.

4. In a lasting machine, in combination, a pair of oppositely rotating upper-gripping rolls, said rolls turning about parallel axes and having substantially cylindrical work-engaging surfaces between which the marginal portion of the shoe upper is gripped, the peripheral surfaces of the rolls having substantially smooth cylindrical portions operative to grip the marginal material of the upper between them, one roll also having a peripheral rib and the other roll having a complemental peripheral channel, the rib and chan nel being operative to provide a positive grip upon said upper material.

5. In a lasting machine, in combination, a pair of oppositely rotating up-per-gripping rolls, said rolls turning about parallel axes and having substantially cylindrical work-engaging surfaces between which the marginal portion of the shoe upper is gripped, one roll having a peripheral rib and the other roll having a complemental peripheral channel, said rib and channel being disposed in a plane perpendicular to the axes of the respective rolls, the respective rolls also having helically disposed ribs of opposite pitch.

6. In a lasting machine, in combination, a pair of oppositely rotating upper-gripping rolls, said rolls turning about parallel axes and having helically disposed ribs of opposite pitch, one of the rolls being provided with a peripheral rib disposed in a plane substantially perpendicular to the axis of the roll, said rib being of substantially V-shaped transverse section and constituting a trimming cutter.

7. In a lasting machine, in combination, a pair of oppositely rotating upper-gripping rolls, said rolls being provided with complemental peripheral work-gripping ribs, one of the rolls having a peripheral groove and the other having a peripheral rib having a cutting edge cooperating with the wall of the groove to trim away surplus upper material.

8. In a lasting machine, in combination, a pair of oppositely rotating upper-gripping rolls, said rolls turning about parallel axes and one of the rolls being of greater diameter than the other, the larger roll having a peripheral rib shaped to form a trimming cutter, and the other roll having a peripheral groove for the reception of the edge of the trimming cutter, said rolls being provided with cooperating oppositely pitched inter` meshing helical ribs operative to grip the marginal material of the upper which is severed by the cutter and to draw said severed material away from the cutting edge.

JACOB S. KAMBORIAN. 

